Refrigerator car



Oct. 1`3, 1931. A. F. QcoNNoR 1,826,814

REFRIGERATOR' CAR Filed'nec. 14, 1928 s sheets-sheer 1 ctn 13, 1931. A.F. ocoNNoR 1,826,814-

REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Dec. 14, .1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 13, 193.1.A. F. ocoNNoR REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Dec. 14, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5f i,i 0,0 ,mw

30 provide an ice bunker atented @et 13, 193i YSAT-E1s ARTHUR F.OCONNOR,-OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO 'UNION RAILWAY EQUIP- MENTCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F ILLINOIS REFRIGERATOR GARApplication filed December 14, 1928. Serial No. 326,014.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars. An object of the inventionis to provide improved ice compartments for refrigerator cars wherein aplurality of foraminated receptacles for ice are provided, and whereinsaid receptacles are so disposed and supported within thecar as toprovide circulating spaces between and surrounding the same, wherebyincreased cooling is effected and the eiiciency of the structurematerially increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of thischaracter wherein the ice-containing receptacles are so placed inposition as to be readily removable in the event replacement isnecessary and in connection with which the practice of making the icebunker a built-in part of the car is eliminated. Y

A still further object of the invention is to provide a plurality offoraminated containers of the character indicated, wherein each of thesame is provided with grate bars so arranged that when' the receptaclesor g containers are utilized, the necessity for the provision of a grateconstruction for the ice bunker ordinarily provided, is dispensed with.

Still another object of the invention is to construction wherein theice-containing receptacles and bulk-head are removable when desired, inorder to permit repairl and replacement should the same become necessaryand also to admit of the installation of .the receptacles and bulk-headwithout the necessity for building them in the car so as to form a.permanent part thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an ice bunkerconstruction wherein the 4.o ice receptacles may be cleaned without anynecessity for removing the same or for removing the bulkhead, saidreceptacles and bulkhead being provided with doors permitting access` tothe interior of the receptacle for the purpose of cleaning them.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear fromthe description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this to specification, Figure 1 is altransverse sectional elevation taken through one end of a refrigeratorcar and disclosing the bulkhead and ice bunker construction forming thesubject matter of the invention, the view being taken substantiallyalong the line 1 1 of Figure 2. Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional viewcorresponding substantially to the line 2--2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 isavertical sectional View through the ice bunker correspondingsubstantially to the line 3-3 of Figure l. And Figure 4 is a horizontal,sectional view through one of the ice receptacles, corres ondlngsubsantially to the line ir-4 Aof igure 1. As shown in the drawings, theice bunker 1s located in one end of a refrigerator car, the latterincluding side walls 10--10, an end wall 11, a. floor 12, a false floor120, a drip indicated at 14, one being disposed upon each side of thecar to communicate through thel roof 15 with the interior of the endportion 0f the car. The construction thus far described is of anordinary and well known character.

In applying kthe lstructure forming `the subject matter of 'my inventionto the car, a plurality of vertically extending pairs of 2 x 4 supports16-16 are provided, together with end supports 17-17, these supportsbeing secured in position by bolts 18-18. The supports constituting eachpair are spaced apart apredetermined distance as indicated at 19, andthe outer posts of each pair are also spaced apart a predetermineddistance, as indicated at 20. The end supports 17 are spaced from theadjacent pair of supports the same distance as that between each pair ofsupports, and also somewhat from the side walls 10 of the car. At thefront of the compartment, there are pro'- vided posts 21--21 extendingfrom the Hoor to the ceiling, and arranged longitudinally of the car inline with the spaces between the pairs of uprights 16-16, and thespaces'between the end uprights 17-17 and the'ad jacent side walls ofthe car, each of the posts 21 being of a thickness about the same as thedistance between each pair of uprights 16-'16 as best shown in Figure 2,and at their ioo and the posts 21--21 somewhat above .the

At intervals transversely of the Ycar are pairs of upright `spacingmembers 22 and f23, the members 23 abutting against the adjacent sidewalls 10-10 of the car while the uprights 22-22 are arranged in linewith the `posts 21 and the spaces 19 between the uprights l-ld Theuprights 23 preferably extend from the floor to the ceiling. The

uprights 22--22 terminate short of the oeiling and at their upper endsbear against longitudinally extending members 24-24, the latter, attheir ends each abuttingagainst the adjacent front post 21, and theopposite end extending ,within the space between the uprights 1G-16. Thelower ends of the members 22-22 also terminate short of the bottom ofthe car, and bear upon horizontally extending members 25-25, the lattereach extending from a point adjacent the frontpost 21, toward the endwall 11 of the car, and having its opposite end disposed between theadjacent pair of uprights 16-16. Tie rods 26 and 27 are provided whichsecure the front posts 21 and uprights 16-16 to the rear wall of thecar, the tie rods 27 lbeing so located as to be /disposed beneath andsupport the members 25-25. Secured to the lower ends of the members16--16, 17

floor of the'drip pan 130, are members providing supportingshelves orledges indicat ed at'28 andI 29, said shelves having their upper edgesdisposed above the level of the members 25-25'1as best shown in Figure3. rlhe framework, as described, provides skeleton enclosures or stalls,each for the reception and accommodation of one of the ice containers orreceptacles '30. Each of the receptacles 30 is of elongated rectangularformationin cross section, the long dimension'being disposedlongitudinally of the car and transversely of the bunker.. rlhe sidewalls 31 and end walls 32 of the container are of fora'minous mat'erialandare supported by vertically disposed angle irons indicated at 34 oneat each corner and-disposed upon the inside of the container. The rangle irons 34 at their upper ends are rigidly secured to a rectangularframe 35 made up of angle members secured together, and providingoutstanding lips or flanges 36 entirely around the frame. At the lowerends of the angle bars 34 a similar frame 37 is provided, the frame 37being smaller than the frame 35 and disposed at the inside of the lowerextremities of the angle bars and being secured thereto in such manneras to present a supporting ledge or flange 38 at the inner side of thereceptacle.

Resting upon and secured to the anges 38 of the lower frame 37 are gratebars 39, preferably two of such bars being provided for each receptacle.'Each ofthe bars is position,

teasers preferably formed of U-shape in cross-section as indicated at 40`Vith anges 41-41 which are riveted to the flanges 38 of the lowerframe, the grate bars being spaced apart a suitable distance to providefor the passage ofthe liquid from the melted ice therethrough and intothe drip pan.

Each of the receptacles adjacent its lower end has its front wall outout to provide a doorl opening, theframework of the door opening beingprovided by an angle iron 43 extending between the angle irons at theforward portion of the receptacle. A door 44 is provided pivoted to thethe framework at 45 so as to open outwardly, said door being normallymaintained in closed position by a hasp' and pin arrangement indicatedat 46, the pin being of S-shape so as to eliminate possibility ofaccidental detachment.

All of the receptacles 30 are exactly alike in construction, and each ofthe same is adapted to be removably placed in one of the vskeletonenclosures provided by the framevwork heretofore described. When thereceptacles are in position within the enclosure, they are rigidlymaintained in such position by means of strips 47 detachably secured tothe posts 2l by bolts 48.

A bulkhead 49 isprovided which is detachably secured to the posts 21 bybolts 50, said bulkhead being secured in position so as to terminateshort of the ceiling of the car at thetop and short of the ioor andfalse :Hoor at the bottom of the car. At the lower portion of thebulkhead, there is provided a door 51, hinged at 52 so as to swingoutwardly, the door 51 being arranged in line with the doors 44 of thereceptacles so that when the doorin the bulkhead is open, the doors ofthe receptacles also can be opened, providing access for cleaning outdeposits which may have' accumulated upon the grate bars. at the lowerends of the receptacles.

By the above described arrangement, it will be appreciated that the fourreceptacles, while providing accommodation for a somewhat less quantityof ice than would be accommodated by an ordinary construction, enhancethe cooling effect due to exposing larger surfaces of the ice tocirculating air within the car, and provide additional space forcirculation of the air. With the construction as described, thecirculation is greatly improved andthe increased volume of air socirculated is subjected to greatly increased areas of the coolingmedium. The provision of the receptacles, each with its individual gratebars, eliminates the necessity for providing grate constructions asordinarilyA used. The. necessary framework for supporting the receptacleis of a simple character and readily applied, and when in positionsupports the receptacles to the best advantage. When the receptacles:lare in the same may be cleaned simply by raising the door inthe'bulkhead and opening the doors in the receptacles, the grate barsbeing disposed longitudinally with reference to the car, greatlyfacilitating they cleaning operation. Should it become necessary toreplace one or more of the receptacles due to injury in service, thebulkhead may be easily removed, and the detachable strips also removed,permitting any or all of the receptacles to be easily removed andreplaced by others if it is found tol be desirable. constructionprovides a marked advantage over ordinary constructions which, in theevent Qfd injury to the foraminouswalls of the container due to thebuilt-in construction, necessitates tearing out of the entire ice bunkerto effect the desired repairs.. Also, due to the arrangement of thereceptacles, a very great increase is obtained in circulation and alsoin the area of cooling medium exposed to the circulated air. Further,due to the fact that the only additional foraminous material necessaryin providing the construction described is that forming the side wallswhich divide the compartments, but very little additional material isrequired, Witha great saving in the amount of ice used and increase ineiiciency. f j

While I have herein shown and described what I now consider thepreferred manner of carrying out my construction, the same is merelyillustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications which comewithin the ,scope of the claims appended hereto.

1. In a structure of the character described, l'

the combination with a refrigerator car; of a removable bulk-headdefining an ice compartmentat one end of said car: means providing asupport Within said ice compartment; and an ice receptacle detachablyarranged within said enclosure, said bulkhead being removable to permitapplication and removal of said ice receptacle with respect to saidenclosure. A

2. Ina structure of the character described, the combination with arailway car;` of means providing an ice compartment including aplurality of receptacles having foraminated walls, said receptacles eachbeing p'rovided witli attached grate bars at its lower end forsupporting the ice, said receptacles, when 'in operative positionproviding com.- bined enclosing walls for ice and means permittingescape of the liquid when said ice is melted'.

3. In a structure of the character described, the combination'with arailway car; of means providing an ice compartment including a pluralityof receptacles having foraminated walls, said receptacles each beingprovided with grate bars 'at its lower end, said receptacles, when inoperative position providing combined enclosing walls for ice and meanspermitting escape of the liquid when said ice This is melted, each ofsaid receptacles being provided with a door for cleaning purposes; and abulk-head having a door in line with the doors of said receptacles topermit access for the purpose of cleaning said receptacles.

. 4. In a structure of the character described, the combination with arefrigerator car; of a bulkhead terminating short of the top and bottomwalls of the car to provide circulating spaces; a plurality ofindividual ice receptacles; and means for individually and removablysupporting each of said receptacles in elevated position and spaced withrespect to each other so as to provide circulating passages between saidreceptacles, said passages communicating with the circulating spaceabove and below said bulkhead.

5. As an article of manufacture, an elongated ice receptacle including askeleton frame enclosed by foraminated material along its sides andhaving one end closed by grate bars, said receptacle being provided witha door adjacent said grate bars whereby cleaning may be efected.

6. In a refrigerator Icar of the character described having hatchways,the combination with an end portion thereof adapted to form an icebunker, said end portion being defined by top, bottom, side and endwalls; of a plurality of unitary elongated receptacles adapted tocontain ice, each of said receptacles opening at the top and havingattached means at the bottom for supporting the ice and permittingescape of the liquid from the melted ice, said receptacles beingdisposed in a row transversely of the car and individually removablefrom said bunker, said receptacles providing in unitary structures meanscorresponding to the ice supporting grates and ice containing-basketsusually provided; and means for supporting said receptacles to maintainthe open ends thereof in position adjacent said top wall where they maybe filled through the hatchways, and the lower ends of said receptaclesbeing elevated with reference to the bottom wall, said means alsohavingl elements for maintaining said receptacles in spaced relationwith reference to each other and with reference to the side and en dWalls of said car, whereby circulation spaces are provided at all sidesof said receptacles.

7. In a refrigerator car of the character described, the combinationwith an end portion having side, top and bottom walls; of a plurality ofsimilar'unitary elongated re-A ceptacles supported in said car sideby'side, the Walls of said receptacles being of foran'iinous material,and spaced from each ozher and from the walls of said car to providecir- A culation spaces from top to bottom'about said receptacles, saidreceptacles extending toward the top wall of said car and having theirupper end portions open for thc reception 'of the cooling medium, thebottom portions oi' P m said bulkhead.

said receptacles terminating short of the bottom wall and being closedby means secured thereto for supporting the cooling medium andpermitting escape of waste liquids said receptacles being individuallyremovable and replaceable in position; and a removable bulkheadterminating short of the top and bottom walls of the car, saidcirculation spaces communicating with the interior of the body ortion ofthe car at the top and also below 8. ln a structure of the characterdescribed, the combination with an end portion of a car, having top,bottom, side and end walls; of a frame Work arranged in said end portionand including supporting shelves above the bottom wall of the same; andan elongated receptacle havirg its walls of foraminated material, spacedfrom the walls of said car, said receptacle extending from saidsupport.-

' ing shelves upwardly toward the top wall dil and having an open endfor the reception of ice, the lower end of said receptacle having meanssecured thereto and extending across the open bottom portion forsupporting the ice, said means providing openings for the escape of theliquid resulting from the melting of the ice, said receptacles and icesupporting means being removable as a unit.

9. In a structure ofthe character described, the combination with an endportion of a car having top, bottom, side and end walls; of a frame workdisposed insaid end portion and having supporting shelves arranged f'above the bottom wall of the car; a plurality of removable icereceptacles, each of a similar construction, and together occupying thespace transversely of the end portion of the car, the lower ends of saidreceptacles being supported on said shelves, and the upper endsreachingtoward the top wall of the car, the walls of said receptaclesbeing of foraminou's material and spaced from the walls of adjacentreceptacles 'so as to provide circulation spaces between said Walls, theupper ends of said receptacles being open for the reception of ice, andthe lower ends having means carried thereby for supporting the ice andpermitting the escape of the liquid incident to -f meltinga. bulkhead atthe outer side of said permit escape of liquid incident to melting ofthe ice, said receptacle having braces exnaaaeia said foraminous wallsbetween the ends of the receptacle and for supporting said ice carryingelements.

11. An article of manufacture, comprising an elongatedice receptacle fora refrigerator car, said receptacle being rectangular in cross section,and having walls formed of foraminous material, one end of saidreceptacle being open for the reception of ice and the opposite endhaving means for supporting the ice connected therewith and formed topermit the escape of liquid, reenforcing end frames connected with theends of said foraminous walls and braces extending along the corners ofthe receptacle and connecting the end frames; and means extending acrossone end frame to provide an ice support formed to permit the escape ofliquid from the melted ice.

12. An article of manufacture, comprising an elongated receptaclerectangular in cross section, and having walls formed of foraminousmaterial, one end of said receptacle beingopen for the reception of iceand the opposite end having means for supporting the ice connectedtherewith and formed to ermit the escape of liquid, reenforcing endrames connected with the ends of said receptacle and braces extendingalong the corners of the receptacle and connecting the end frames, oneof the foraminous walls adjacent the bottom of the receptacle beingprovidediwith a door giving access to the interior of the receptacle.

13. ln a refrigerator car of' the character described, the combinationwith one end ortion thereof; of a plurality of complete ice-containingbaskets, each having vertically disposed foraminous walls and each beingprovided at its bottom with ice-supporting elements attached thereto,said receptacles being arranged to provide a series of complete unitswhich together form-the complete icecontaining compartment proper; andmeans for supporting and spacing vsaid unitary receptacles so as toprovide circulation spaces on all sides of each receptacle.

14. In a refrigerator car of the character described, the combinationwith one end portion thereof; of a plurality of complete icecontainingbaskets, each having vertically disposed foraminous walls and each beingclosed at its bottom bv ice-supporting grates attached thereto, saidreceptacles providing when in position a series of individual andcomplete units which together provide the entire ice-containingcompartment; and means for individually and removably supporting andspacing said unitary receptacles so as to provide circulation spaces onall sides of each receptacle.

15. is an article of manufacture, an ice receptacle for refrigeratorcars, comprising as a unit a skeleton frame consisting of spaced tendingfrom. top to bottonel for supportmgcorner uprights, an upper rectangularopen frame with which the upper ends of the uprights are connected, alower rectangular open fra-me with which the lower ends of the uprightsare connected, and gratebars extending transversely of the lower openframe and connected thereto, and a foraminous wall secured to theuprights and furnishing the side walls of the receptacle.

In Witness that I claim the fore oing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 8th day 10 of December 1928.

vARTHUR F. OCONNOR'.

